Southwest's Boeing 737-800 features a single economy cabin with a 3-3 seating layout and 31-inch pitch. Extra legroom seats in rows 1-5 and 14-16 offer improved comfort for those willing to pay premium boarding fees. Understanding seat selection is key to maximizing your Southwest flying experience.
The 737-800 is configured entirely in economy with a 3-3 layout and standard 31-inch pitch. Best seats are rows 1-5, 6ABC, and 14-16 which offer 34-inch extra legroom pitch. Avoid row 1 (only 3 seats available) and row 15 on Heart interior aircraft (only 4 seats). Choose early boarding or purchase EarlyBird Check-In to secure optimal seating.
Southwest Airlines operates the Boeing 737-800 with a single-class all-economy configuration. The aircraft features a 3-3 seating layout with 143-150 total seats depending on interior variant.
All seats are economy with standard 31-inch pitch. The cabin is divided into several zones: standard economy (rows 7-13), exit row seats with extra legroom (rows 14-16), and premium extra legroom seats (rows 1-5, 6ABC). Seats feature standard width and functionality typical of Southwest's fleet.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
1A, 1B, 1C | Economy | Exit row with extra 34-inch pitch and forward cabin position |
6A, 6B, 6C | Economy | Extra legroom seats with 34-inch pitch, bulkhead position |
14A-14F, 15A-15F, 16A-16F | Economy | Exit row seats with extra 34-inch legroom pitch throughout rows |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
1D, 1E, 1F | Economy | Row 1 only has 3 seats; these seats do not exist on standard configuration |
Row 15 (Heart interior) | Economy | Heart interior aircraft have only 4 usable seats in row 15, creating imbalanced seating |
Southwest doesn't charge seat selection fees - all seats are free, making this airline exceptionally transparent compared to legacy carriers. However, you'll pay for Early Bird Check-In ($15 - $25 one-way) to secure boarding position A1 - A15, which determines seat quality. Compared to United or American's $15 - $50 seat fees plus checked bag charges, Southwest's all-inclusive model saves $200+ on a roundtrip, though you forfeit guaranteed premium positioning without Early Bird purchase.
The 737-800 offers 31-inch pitch throughout the cabin with 17-inch seat width - identical to American's A320 but noticeably tighter than Southwest's 737 MAX at 32 inches. The seats lack slimline padding but don't feel cramped for average passengers; tray tables are shallow, making 13-inch laptop work feasible in landscape but awkward in portrait mode. Exit row seats gain 35 inches of pitch, creating meaningful legroom for 6'+ passengers, though middle seats remain narrow regardless of row selection.
Southwest's 737-800 has no seatback power or USB outlets - you're entirely dependent on cabin outlets (sparse and gate-located) or personal battery packs. WiFi is available through Viasat (free for A-List members, $7 monthly or $8 one-way for others) with typical speeds of 4 - 8 Mbps, adequate for email but choppy for video calls. Bring a 20,000+ mAh power bank as non-negotiable; the cabin won't keep your devices alive beyond 2 - 3 hours of heavy use.
Southwest uses open seating with A, B, C boarding groups; A-List members board first (A1 - A15), followed by standard passengers. Seats in rows 1 - 3 and the rear (rows 30+) clear fastest during deplaning, though the 737-800's single-aisle design means no meaningful door advantage - exit times are uniform regardless of seat choice. For tight connections under 45 minutes, request a seat near the front (rows 1 - 5) to exit first and sprint to gates; otherwise, focus Early Bird on securing legroom over position.
Southwest uses open seating with boarding groups A, B, and C. Seat selection is not assigned in advance; passengers choose seats upon boarding. Early Bird Check-In ($15) secures an earlier boarding position, improving seat selection options.
Extra legroom seats in rows 1-5, 6ABC, and 14-16 offer 34-inch pitch compared to the standard 31-inch pitch. Exit row seats (14-16) are free but subject to FAA restrictions; rows 1-5 may require premium boarding purchase.
Exit row seats (14-16) require passengers to be able-bodied and willing to assist in emergencies. Row 1 has a reduced seat count. Heart interior variants have configuration differences in row 15.
No. Southwest does not offer advance seat selection. Purchase EarlyBird Check-In for better boarding position, or arrive early at the gate to choose premium seats.
Southwest's 737-800 carries 143-150 passengers depending on the interior configuration, all in economy class.
